Boosting R&D Through Software-Based Visibility
STORY INLINE POST
Q: How is Dassault Systèmes working to promote Industry 4.0 principles in Mexico?
A: Our goal is to transform jobs so that people engage in added-value activities related to customer experience, while automating other processes and developing schemes where humans and machines collaborate to increase efficiency. We developed the “Industry of the Future” concept that puts human beings at the core of the 4.0 Revolution. In Mexico, aerospace and automotive remain our core industries but other sectors, such as energy and consumer products, are gaining momentum.
Q: How does Dassault’s 3DEXPERIENCE platform help companies improve their design and engineering processes?
A: Our platform creates a collaborative environment that factors in many more elements that previously would not be considered. Companies can now reflect comments from social media when developing the next generation of their products. Similarly, having several areas of a company collaborating simultaneously helps an organization reduce its engineering costs, response times and ppm rates while increasing product quality from a component’s design stage.
Q: What gaps in Mexico’s aerospace industry are addressed by the implementation of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform?
A: 3DEXPERIENCE is the best possible communication link between OEMs and their suppliers because it ensures designs, simulations and working plans are shared among companies. This gives OEMs the certainty that they are working with suppliers that have formal, well-defined processes. We are launching new cloud-based software packages so SMEs can access this technology and achieve direct communication with their Tier 1 or OEM clients.
Key aerospace OEMs Airbus and Boeing are adopting the 3DEXPERIENCE platform and this trickles down the supply chain. Instead of sharing files through e-mail or File Transfer Protocol (FTP), this platform allows for real-time collaboration between all tiers. Since all companies involved are aware of the final result that must be achieved, they can start performing analysis of weight, performance and design and manufacturing times.
Q: What role does Dassault Systèmes play in talent development?
A: In September 2018, Dassault Systèmes signed an agreement with the Ministry of Economic Development of the State of Mexico, the Automotive Cluster of the State of Mexico and the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEM) to create capable talent to develop EVs and self-driving cars. Dassault Systèmes will open two technology areas at UAEM so the university can start training students in new manufacturing technologies. We plan to replicate the success of a similar program implemented in Wichita, Kansas. The company’s 3DEXPERIENCE Center focuses on the aerospace industry and several companies are taking advantage of it to carry out their R&D operations.
Q: How will the new trade environment resulting from USMCA impact Dassault Systèmes’ operations in North America?
A: Dassault Systèmes de México now competes with its US and Canadian counterparts in terms of developing local suppliers. The country that manages to develop suppliers the fastest will capture a greater percentage of regional content production. For Mexico to maintain its productivity level, the country needs to secure more contracts to supply components.
Q: What are your growth expectations for 2019?
A: We achieved our 20-percent growth goal for 2018. While 3Q18 was challenging because of changes in the energy sector that impacted Dassault Systèmes’ energy-oriented operations, the aerospace and automotive industries remained strong. We expect to maintain this momentum through 2019 and achieve a similar growth rate with these sectors as our most important revenue generators. We expect energy activities to remain sluggish but the consumer goods area is likely to increase in importance as consumer habits change.
Dassault Systèmes is a French software developer that offers solutions for 3D design and product life-cycle management. Its 3DEXPERIENCE platform allows companies to optimize design and manufacturing processes